School Catering

Parent’s Zone

School Catering

Cooked meals, including a vegetarian option, are prepared daily in our kitchen and children are offered a choice of main courses and desserts. Salads and fruit are always available. Meals are eaten in the dining hall.

The cost of a school meal is £2.10. We are happy to accept payment for the week, month, half term or term. Payments can be made online through School Gateway which is our preferred payment method. See the school office if you are unsure how to do this. Alternatively cheques (made payable to Hearsall Community Academy) or cash should be placed in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the child’s name and class and handed into the class teacher or at the School Office. Please note school meals must be paid for in advance.

Free School Meals

Free school meals are available to some children according to family income. It’s important to register for entitlement to free school meals, even if your child has a packed lunch – this is so we can receive additional funding (called the pupil premium) which we can use to help your child.Children are entitled to Free School Meals if their parents, carers or guardians receive any of the following:

Income support

Income based job seekers allowance

Income related employment and support allowance

Guarantee pension credit

Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit, and an annual income lower than the limit set by the Government

Working Tax Credit Run On because you have ceased work or reduced your working hours to less than 16 per week

Packed Lunch

Alternatively, children may bring a packed lunch. This should be in a secure named container. A drink should be provided in a non breakable container. Packed lunches are eaten in the main hall. No sweets or fizzy drinks are allowed – instead, we encourage lots of fruit, vegetables and water.

For ideas about healthy packed lunches and to learn more please visit this useful NHS page.